What a home costs in Nanaimo, what you pay to close, and how much a physician program lets you buy.
Benchmark price for Nanaimo, July 2026, from the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board, July 2026 statistics package. Single-family benchmark for Nanaimo. Other cities show the MLS Home Price Index benchmark unless marked. Figures reviewed August 2026.
A physician program could add
$0
to the home you can buy.
Estimate at 4.49%, stress tested at 6.49%, with 10% down, below the $1.5M insured limit.
British Columbia charges a Property Transfer Tax of 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% from $200,000 to $2,000,000. On a $800,000 home that is roughly $14,000. BC first-time buyer and newly-built home exemptions can reduce or eliminate the tax on qualifying purchases.
Sources: Government of British Columbia, property transfer tax; Government of British Columbia, first time home buyers program. Rates reviewed August 2026.
Physician programs qualify residents on $185,000 in PGY-1 and PGY-2 and $225,000 from PGY-3, not on these salaries.
Resident Doctors of BC, Resident Doctors of BC payroll page, in effect from April 2026.
How much is the property transfer tax in Nanaimo?
Nanaimo follows the BC Property Transfer Tax: 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% to $2,000,000, roughly $14,000 on a $800K home, before first-time or newly-built exemptions.
Is Nanaimo more affordable than Victoria for physicians?
Generally yes. Nanaimo offers central Vancouver Island value more attainable than Victoria, anchored by Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
